Donate today to keep Global Voices strong!

Our global community of volunteers work hard every day to bring you the world's underreported stories -- but we can't do it without your help. Support our editors, technology, and advocacy campaigns with a donation to Global Voices!

In eastern Paraguay, 217 members of the Ava Guaraní indigenous community recently came down with health symptoms that include nausea and headaches. It is believed that these individuals became sick as a result of intentional aerial spraying with pesticide, after they refused to vacate their ancestral lands.

Itakyry is one of the districts of the Department of Alto Paraná, located 450 kilometers from the capital city of Asunción. One arrives by unpaved roads, its heyday was during the yerba maté cultivation. This ended after 100 years, making way for the soy cultivation during recent times……

There was a time in Paraguay when the aboriginals were not considered human beings. They were hunted like animals and their offspring collected like trophies.

(…)

Some of their land was appropriated with bullets and blood, and as the indigenous did not go to the institutions in charge of of providing titles to the lands that always belonged to them, the white man did go to these institutions, it makes no sense that the rightful owners of these lands are now the “invaders.”

They continue to be treated like animals. It is only this way that one can understand how the soy producers can send fumigation planes to spray poison on top of them, which was proven by the Ministry of Health, which is now helping the indigenous poisoned by pesticides.

To resent an indigenous group with more than 38 centuries in existence on their own and true territory, does not seem appropriate to me…. If we do not respect our elders, our days on earth will be shortened, and if greed is placed ahead of any other virtue, we will fall hopelessly…..

A human rights outrage. Who will speak out for Mother Earth and her native children? It is hard to believe that Indians are still being exterminated like this. But we better believe it, and take a stand. Shame shame shame on the government of Paraguay.

Belen Bogado

This is a very controversial issue in Paraguay. It is definetely the first time that happens. Also many times, indigenous have to make up that they have been sprayed with pesticides just to get some medical attention from the government.

Indigenous in Paraguay are being expelled from their lands, and have to live on the streets of the capital Asuncion. It’s a shame that the only governmental institution in charge of assisting them, is corrupt.

Bea Olsen

Im so sad to read this ,about indigenous rights ,many women,men and children.I prayed our Father for this.
Why the media like tv ,is not notice about this ?
I m living next to Paraguay